Sajifutsu-no-Kami

Sajifutsu-no-Kami (佐士布都神) is the divine name of the sacred sword Futsu-no-Mitama recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE), also called Mikafutsu-no-Kami or Futsu-no-Mitama-no-Tsurugi. The element "futsu" denotes the action of cutting and severing, deifying the very power of the sword itself. The deity connects to the principal deity of Isonokami Jingu (Futsu-no-Mitama-no-Okami), tutelary of the Mononobe clan. According to the Kojiki middle scroll on Jimmu's eastward expedition, when Jimmu and his army were felled by the malign vapors of Kumano, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, by command of Amaterasu Omikami and Takagi-no-Kami, lowered into the storehouse of Takakuraji the very sword he had used to pacify the central reed-plain country. When Takakuraji presented the sword to Jimmu, the malign vapors withdrew. Principal shrine: Isonokami Jingu in Tenri, Nara.